Parental awareness of abusive head trauma, shaking intentions, and behaviors in the Taiwanese population

Purpose

Parental awareness of abusive head trauma (AHT) and its consequences are key to AHT prevention. The study aims to understand parental awareness of AHT, parents’ attitudes toward parental expectations and infant rearing, coping responses and soothing strategies, and shaking intentions and behaviors toward infants in Taiwan.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional correlational study. We recruited 361 parents from public health centers, postpartum care centers, pediatric clinics, and hospitals with well-baby clinics and vaccinations in Taiwan using a convenience sampling method. Self-developed questionnaires were used to collect data. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients, independent t-tests, and analysis of variance were used for data analysis.

Results

Most parents reported having heard about AHT, and having been informed about the dangers of shaking babies. Most expressed positive feelings regarding parenting; however, approximately one-third had pessimistic childrearing expectations. Nineteen parents reported that they had either intended to or actually shook their infants. Less than 10% reported using inappropriate strategies to soothe infant crying, although they did not intend to do so.

Conclusions

AHT risk persists in Taiwan, despite most parents knowing about its dangers. Inappropriate soothing skills were inadvertently used to placate crying infants, and the intention-behavior gap in shaking behavior should not be overlooked. The results of this study can help modify policies for AHT prevention and help improve clinical practice.